Thrower Helena Perez Garners First AAC Weekly Honor

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Thrower Helena Perez Garners First Weekly Honor Of Season
Perez Placed First In Both The Shot Put & Hammer Throw At The Texas Tech Open

April 8, 2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (SMU/American) - Following her outstanding performance at the Texas Tech Open, senior thrower Helena Perez has been named the outdoor track & field Athlete of the Week, the American Athletic Conference announced Tuesday. The honor is the first of her career and SMU's sixth this season.

Competing against a strong field in Lubbock, Texas, Perez took first place in both the shot put (15.62m) and the hammer throw (60.03m). The senior now ranks 19th in the hammer throw and 27th in the shot put, nationally. She also holds the top mark in The American in each event. In addition, Perez placed ninth in the discus with a distance of 42.86 meters.

"This was a break-through performance for Helena," Director of Track & Field Dave Wollman said. "Her confidence is now through the roof and she and I are both very excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us."

Prior to the Texas Tech Open, Perez finished third in both the shot put (15.69m) and the hammer throw (54.91m) and earned 10th in the discus (40.70m) in SMU’s first outdoor meet of the season, the TCU Horned Frog Invitational. She also was named an All-AAC performer following her third place finish in the shot put (15.66m) at the inaugural American Athletic Conference Indoor Championship as Perez helped SMU win the program’s first indoor conference championship in school history.

Perez and the Mustangs are idle until next weekend when SMU splits its team once again. This time the Mustangs will compete in the Mt. Sac Relays (April 17-19) in Walnut, Calif., the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas and the Sooner Invitational (April 19) in Norman, Okla.

[ponyboy]

Well done!


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[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Congratulations, Helena!

[Pony4Life]

I didn't realize women threw the hammer. I thought that was men only.

Congratulations on the first place finishes and the AAC award -- keep it up!

[ponyboy]

It's kind of fun to go over and watch practice at the facility that's catty corner from Twisted Root on SMU Boulevard. Check it out


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[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Helena won the award again this week! Congratulations.

http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/w-track/spec-rel/041514aaa.html

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (SMU/American) - Following her outstanding performance at the Texas Invitational, senior thrower Helena Perez has been named the outdoor track & field Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week, American Athletic Conference officials announced Tuesday. The honor is the second of her career and SMU's seventh this season.